CPAP newbie

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Mar 04, 2017 6:16 am

Hi there,

I was diagnosed yesterday morning with mild/moderate OSA, with an AHI of 15. I'm a 31 y/o male and in very good health otherwise (6', 70kg, BMI 22, fat % 5%), I ran a sub 4-hour marathon last year and am now a dedicated distance runner working towards Boston in the next 2 years or so. But despite this, it looks like I'll be needing one of these machines - something I guess my rather bruised ego will have to get used to. However, since I have spent the best part of the last 5-6 years watching this movie of my life play by, fatigued, depressed (and especially suicidal) and with memory problems so bad they're threatening my career and my relationships with friends and colleagues I am happy to accept whatever will help me out of this.

I've had an initial sleep study which produced my AHI. However, the Dr has left me with a prescription for a CPAP machine which I'm told I should pick up before I go back for my second study (where they will work out what pressure I need). I've generally read on the internet people picking up machines after they've had a second study, so to me this felt a little weird. Is this something to be concerned about? It was all a bit of a rush job at the doctors post-diagnosis, and since big news tends only to sink in a few hours later for me I knew I wasn't going to make any rash decisions - but they were keen on my to setup consultations with CPAP suppliers in the area there and then.

Secondly, I'm still thinking I'll be picking up this machine, using it for 5 minutes, finding out I don't really need it then being stuck with a rather expensive specialist bit of equipment I'll need to sell online. This could quite easily just be me in denial now, but should I not like...hire one of these first and try it out? Is it worth picking up second hand? (the idea of buying a machine second hand that I know nothing about sounds even worse)

Lastly, will I ever be able to unsee reading CPAP as CRAP? I'm finding it really distracting looking up CRAP machines, and to be fair it doesn't sound like the sort of thing you want pumping air down your throat through the night.

Hey all, hope the shock goes away soon - that's it for now!

clarkycat · Post by **clarkycat** » Sat Mar 04, 2017 6:18 am

Somehow managed to post as a guest instead of under my username -doh! (I do know how to computer, honest)

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Sat Mar 04, 2017 6:53 am

Hi and welcome.

As far as getting a machine and then being stuck with the expense if you don't use it... you could talk to your MD about that, or you could decide (validly) that many people with OSA out there cannot afford machines and would be very happy to get an almost-new one less expensively than they would otherwise be able to if the time comes that you want to sell it.

However, you (understandably, being young) do seem to want to blow the whole thing off, be in denial, etc, and that's the concern here. I hope you realize that very many people are on Cpap not because they're old, overweight, etc. etc. but for purely anatomical reasons of e.g. narrow airways, jaws, etc. but still need Cpap as much as anyone else. And while you're an athlete now, that can get old really fast if you don't take care of things now. You said yourself you've felt suicidal (i hope you did explore the possibility of having coincidental mental health issues rather than just putting it all down to OSA), so let your anger be at the condition, not the therapy.

There are many really knowledgable and experienced people here who can help you through all stages of this mini journey to something which down the road can be as easy as brushing your teeth every night if you deal with issues of e.g. mask fit, pressure setting, etc. etc. up front, or you can choose to fight reality and be miserable. Up to you.

Which machine (and mask) you get are very important (were you diagnosed with 'plain' obstructive apnea, or are there other diagnoses of related problems?) and we can certainly help with that - e.g. getting an 'auto' vs plain cpap (autos can be run in Cpap mode, but not vice versa), and one that gives lots of data to track your progress with and let you tweak things on your own (with the help of free software we use) vs just 'compliance' data the insurance co's want so they'll keep paying. With the right machine and software you can actually titrate your own pressures, many do it without having studies at all, and again we can help you get going there.

And try to stick with this thread so we can follow your story and have all the 'news' in one place. Thanks

clarkycat · Post by **clarkycat** » Sat Mar 04, 2017 7:35 am

Hey Julie - thanks for the reply.

Sorry I didn't mean any offense - just coming to terms with reality here, everything is a little weird right now. I'm there's a great amount of privilege I have - I have the use of my body, all my senses, I have a comfortable life and a supportive partner. The inconvenience of a CPAP machine is pretty insignificant in the grand scheme of things, especially given the benefits I might gain back from its use.

I've been bouncing through doctors, therapists, medications etc. for the last 10 years for other mental issues. I'm not leveling it all on OSA, but I feel it might be a contributing factor. I've been unable to realise with myself what it was that has been driving my depression - it's never felt like it was tied to any particular tangible thing. That's still a whole other journey, but I'm hoping this can help.

I've found the site super useful so far though - just learning about the different machines etc. I kind of feel like I've got half an idea of what I'm getting into for when I go see a supplier. I was dreading seeing them not knowing a thing - it's bad enough buying a TV when you don't really know what one to get.

I believe my diagnosis is just plain old OSA. I've been looking at CPAP machines that record full data (having only learned that was a thing from this site, thanks!). Given I already geek out on tracking data for my running, I'm actually a little excited for doing the same for this. I'm hoping to see a supplier today just to take a look and get an idea of their costs.

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Sat Mar 04, 2017 8:40 am

Hi again... sorry myself if I gave an impression of being offended at all! Not a problem and didn't happen. I should also say that so many here have gone even decades being diagnosed with 'depression' when they should have had sleep studies done early on. OSA can certainly mimic that, and it's a shame that even today so many doctors are uninformed about apnea.

I think you'll do very well because I realize now that your attitude is good, just frustrated... welcome to the club.

It's great that you're reading and learning as there can be a lot to digest. Please stick around and let us know how things go and don't be shy about asking anything - we've heard it all and more.

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Sat Mar 04, 2017 11:48 am

clarkycat wrote:Secondly, I'm still thinking I'll be picking up this machine, using it for 5 minutes, finding out I don't really need it then being stuck with a rather expensive specialist bit of equipment I'll need to sell online. This could quite easily just be me in denial now, but should I not like...hire one of these first and try it out? Is it worth picking up second hand? (the idea of buying a machine second hand that I know nothing about sounds even worse)

well, get over that denial factor now, everybody can have bad throat anatomy, not just old fat men, even kids, and athletes. you could have a false negative sleep study, but false positives? not so much.

just make sure you get an AUTO setting machine, like the resmed airsense10 autoset.

clarkycat wrote:Lastly, will I ever be able to unsee reading CPAP as CRAP? I'm finding it really distracting looking up CRAP machines, and to be fair it doesn't sound like the sort of thing you want pumping air down your throat through the night.!

if you'll lean over this way, I'll be happy to smack you upside the head, perhaps that'll get your eyeballs functioning properly

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Mar 04, 2017 12:56 pm

Guest wrote:Secondly, I'm still thinking I'll be picking up this machine, using it for 5 minutes, finding out I don't really need it then being stuck with a rather expensive specialist bit of equipment I'll need to sell online. This could quite easily just be me in denial now, but should I not like...hire one of these first and try it out? Is it worth picking up second hand? (the idea of buying a machine second hand that I know nothing about sounds even worse)

While you never mentioned your location or if you are using insurance, which insurance, if you did someone might be able to be more specific but... most insurance will rent for a period of time so as to not leave you

Guest wrote:stuck with a rather expensive specialist bit of equipment

clarkycat wrote:Somehow managed to post as a guest instead of under my username -doh! (I do know how to computer, honest)

Could it be the untreated sleep apnea?

grayghost4 · Post by **grayghost4** » Sat Mar 04, 2017 1:04 pm

clarkycat wrote:Somehow managed to post as a guest instead of under my username -doh! (I do know how to computer, honest)

Could it be the untreated sleep apnea?[/quote]

I see you are having trouble signing in with you idenity also .... could it be OSA .

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Mar 04, 2017 1:13 pm

grayghost4 wrote:
clarkycat wrote:Somehow managed to post as a guest instead of under my username -doh! (I do know how to computer, honest)
Could it be the untreated sleep apnea?

grayghost4 wrote:I see you are having trouble signing in with you idenity also .... could it be OSA .

Whatever you newbies do - do NOT by any equipment from anyone with a ghost in their username or a pumpkin for an avatar. It could be the ghost of hell-o-ween past and then you are really stuck.

grayghost4 · Post by **grayghost4** » Sat Mar 04, 2017 1:28 pm

I least I am not ashamed of what I Post that I have to hide behind a unregistered name and spoof my IP address

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Mar 04, 2017 1:34 pm

grayghost4 wrote:I least I am not ashamed of what I Post that I have to hide behind a unregistered name and spoof my IP address

Take a look silly. You ARE hiding behind a pumpkin and a made up name.

OkyDoky · Post by **OkyDoky** » Sat Mar 04, 2017 1:42 pm

Guest wrote:
grayghost4 wrote:I least I am not ashamed of what I Post that I have to hide behind a unregistered name and spoof my IP address
Take a look silly. You ARE hiding behind a pumpkin and a made up name.

That Pumpkin doesn't change and there are thousands of guests. Have no fear of buying from Grayghost4. I got an excellent deal.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Mar 04, 2017 2:36 pm

OkyDoky wrote:
Guest wrote:
grayghost4 wrote:I least I am not ashamed of what I Post that I have to hide behind a unregistered name and spoof my IP address
Take a look silly. You ARE hiding behind a pumpkin and a made up name.
That Pumpkin doesn't change and there are thousands of guests. Have no fear of buying from Grayghost4. I got an excellent deal.

You have got to wonder why any reputable seller would harass someone who posted as a "Guest" just because they posted as a "Guest" but not have anything positive to contribute to the subject.

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Sat Mar 04, 2017 2:37 pm

For heaven's sake - the OP's trying to learn something... does every thread HAVE to have nonsense in it that takes over?

OkyDoky · Post by **OkyDoky** » Sat Mar 04, 2017 2:46 pm

Julie wrote:For heaven's sake - the OP's trying to learn something... does every thread HAVE to have nonsense in it that takes over?

I agree Julie and I think GrayGhost4 was trying to point out some possible symptoms of OSA to help the OP recognize that and get past his denial.

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